SPDA visit spotlights Oton OTOP Hub, MSMEs

1 of 2

The personnel of the GAD Focal Point System of the Southern Philippines Development Authority, based in Davao City, conducted a benchmarking activity in the municipality of Oton, Iloilo, on Feb. 4, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to study community-based enterprise models and local economic development initiatives nationwide.

A key activity of the visit was the delegation’s tour of the Oton One Town, One Product Hub, a local showcase center for homegrown products and enterprises.

Established with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo, the Oton OTOP Hub serves as a platform for promoting locally produced goods and strengthening the market presence of micro, small, and medium enterprises in the municipality.

Through DTI Iloilo initiatives and in partnership with Oton’s Local Economic Development and Investments Promotion Office, the hub has become a vital space for product development, marketing and enterprise promotion, helping local entrepreneurs enhance product quality and improve competitiveness.

Members of the Oton Entrepreneurs Association welcomed the guests and led the product showcasing, presenting a variety of locally made goods that reflect the town’s culture, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

The interaction allowed local producers to engage directly with visitors, share their stories and explain the processes behind their products.

The activity also provided local micro, small and medium enterprises wider exposure as the OTOP Hub continues to serve as a space where tourists and visiting delegations can experience Oton-made products firsthand.

Through initiatives like this, the municipality aims to promote inclusive local economic development while giving community-based enterprises opportunities to reach broader markets.

The One Town, One Product program is a national initiative promoted by DTI to help communities develop and market distinctive products and support local livelihood and enterprise growth.

Brief explanation (optional): I tightened long sentences, standardized capitalization and dates to AP style, reduced redundancy, and kept each paragraph to a single idea while preserving all original meanings and data points.